Not that the extra cash will change Allison, still a down-to-earth guy who isn't so far removed from his family that he doesn't notice the tiniest detail, such as the hand-sized sandal on his son's foot.

''Really, the money has helped me to stay close to my family,'' said Allison, who has won almost $1 million already this season, including a $300,000 spinout victory across the finish line with Kyle Petty in The Winston on Saturday at Charlotte Motor Speedway. ''We can afford to have an airplane, so I can fly us from place to place. We can afford to have a condo in the town where we're racing, so I can come home to my family at night.''

And he can also escape all the hype that has swirled around the Winston Cup points leader this season, beginning with his Daytona 500 victory in February.

''It's been hectic, all the appearances and everything,'' Allison said. ''But you never want a streak to end, even though you know there will be a time when it does. I've watched a lot of guys go through streaks. I can't believe this has happened. It's not even over, and it's been an incredible year.''

It has been emotional, too. His 87-year-old grandfather died in April, giving Allison motivation to keep his streak alive. He has finished in the top 10 in eight of nine races this season, including three victories.

''This year is sort of a last goodbye to my grandfather,'' Allison said. ''We were very close. He traveled with me everywhere.

''He was quiet, but what he said meant a whole lot. One time I had been working in the shop for two days without any sleep. He came in, took a look at me and said: 'I have a solution - two sticks of dynamite and a hose clamp.' He had a way of lightening up a tense situation. He was family, but more than that, he was my best friend.''

Now he is the inspiration for Allison, the family man.

A.J. Foyt, talking about his 57-year-old battered body: ''Hell, yeah, I'm in better shape (than last year). (Coming into this season) I was a little bit lighter than I am now, but after I broke my shoulder (in April), I said to hell with it, and I started eating chocolate candy bars and ice cream again. I just started enjoying life a little bit.''

He'll enjoy his 35th consecutive start at the Indianapolis 500 Sunday, which will be televised at 11 a.m. on ABC (WFTV-Ch. 9 in Orlando). The Sunshine Network will air Indianapolis Race Preview at 11 p.m. Friday.